Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-01-11
POKER FOR GOvERNORsHrP.
How Big Bluff Nominated Cameron.
OF ytFRtafa.

Alexandra letter In Baltimore Herald.)
Ex-Governor William +. Cameron, while
cOnversing with friend to- day at the Brad
dock House about Congressman Brownies
poker ability, gave bit OF the inside his
tory OF his unexpected nomination for the
governOrship six years ago.
"Wben | took the field" said the en-
Governor, "my chances OF success were
very slim. The whole party seemed to be
ranged on the side OF John ). Wise, and it
was generally predicted that he would
have a safe majority on the first ballot.
Along about May, however, month before
the Convention met in Richmond, he in
CURED the displeasure OF seveISl party
leaders, who came over 10 me. Other Oc-
eurrences at the time added to my
strength. and when the opposing
forces came to the fray il looked
IA il my opponent and / carried
about the same humber of votes. All
the tims Mr.. Wise and were the best
Of FRIENDS, and while making a sharp Fight
for the gubernatorial nomination nc re.
examinations were ever thought OF. On the
morning the Convention opened canvass
OF delegates revealed the fact that cur
strength was about equal. and each side
claimed the ability 10 bring over enough Of
the doubtful votes 10 secure nomination.
Nothing was done the first day except &c
appoint the committees and organize &Se
Convention. This night the committee
on platform met at the Wig Of
fee and all the party leaders were
present, as the result OF the cam
paign depended in great measure on the
character Of the platform. Senator Ma.
hone presided al the meeting. Mr.. Wise
and sat side by side, while Congressman
10 lpf n ia
other side of the editorial table. After al;
the necessary pknks bad been Inserted in
the platform Senator Mahone, pleased with
the work OF the evening, remarked laugh
ingly: Now 1t is In order 10 decide who
will be the Governor Of Virginia. Suppose
you two young fellows decide II by game
Of poker. You Will ind the chips aud all
the necessary equipments in the editorial.
drawer-eb, Elamg'
"Eyery body laughed at the Joke. while
Wise and said almost in breath Bring
'em out Editor Clam had the cards
and chips on the table In a iiffy, and
we all prepared for n little fun. 'You
will take fifty chips eseh,' said the Senator,
with q mock solemnity. and the man who
cleans tie other out first will BE- the next
Governor Of Virginia. More laughter, in
which my rival and joined heartily. The
cardswere dealt and the game began tame.
~. Soon there was sharp playing, how.
ever, as Wise could take a hand at poker
with any man In the State, aud had made |
a considerable study OF the science also, On
the fifth deal there was S6-chip jackpot. |
and eyery forgetting theaumoroussi !
OF The thing, leaned over the table with as
much eagerness Is II the goveraorship were |
really at stake. Wise opened the pot with |
thirty. | bed four, five, six, ard seven of /
hearts and he ten Of diamonds. / took a
good, long look at my hand and considered |
lbe possibility Of getting a straight flush.
knew II was one chance IN fifty, but 1 /
hated to let thai big pot 20 for notlIiug,soI
clipped in. by rival drew one card.
and | saw bis face beam as he looked
AZ u. OF couFse, drew one too.
slowly raised II from the table.
Alssl II was the nine Of hearts, one
spot too much for straight flush. knew
my flush would be beaten on q call, but was
not bluff expedientf While was con,
sidering thus one OF Wise's cardsfell under
my chair, and he stopped over near me 10
pick Il up. AS his head came TO the sur.
face | thought bis eyes fell inyoluntarily
on my hand, but / was not sure. ANY.
way the beam had gone from his face when
looked al him again. An idea flashed
across my mind. lie had seen my
bsn0, but the glance was 80 bur.
lied jbat be faneled be say straight flush.